title: Consumption and acceptability of whole grain staples for lowering markers of diabetes risk among overweight and obese Tanzanian adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dietary changes characterized by a reduction in carbohydrate quality are occurring in developing countries and may be associated with a higher prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus. We assessed the preferences and acceptability of unrefined whole grain carbohydrate staples (i.e., brown rice, unrefined maize and unrefined sorghum ugali) as substitutes for commonly consumed refined carbohydrates in Tanzania.
  
  
  METHODS
  A questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic information and dietary habits, and pre-and post-tasting questionnaires were administered for test foods. A 10-point LIKERT scale was used to rate attributes of the three test foods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  White rice and refined maize ugali were the most commonly consumed carbohydrate staples in this population; 98% and 91%, respectively. Occasional consumption of unrefined maize and sorghum ugali was reported by 32% and 23% of the participants, respectively. All of the test foods were highly rated for smell, taste, color, appearance and texture. Taste was rated highest for unrefined maize ugali. Almost all of the participants were willing to participate in a future dietary intervention involving regular consumption of these unrefined carbohydrates for at least six months duration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that whole grain carbohydrates are highly acceptable, and that there is a promising potential for their use in future dietary intervention studies in Tanzania.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trial Unit, Africa Academy for Public Health, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. selukundo@gmail.com
authors.forename: Alfa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muhihi
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gimbi
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Njelekela
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Shemaghembe
authors.forename: Kissah
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mwambene
authors.forename: Faraja
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Chiwanga
authors.forename: Vasanti S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Malik
authors.forename: Nicole M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Wedick
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spiegelman
authors.forename: Frank B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Walter C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Willett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004032:Diet / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002523:Edible Grain; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates